Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get our top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
Header image courtesy of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal
Just hearing the name “Kai Tak” evokes fond memories for those who have lived in Hong Kong for a long time. Situated on the eastern side of Kowloon Bay, this area was once home to the notoriously challenging Kai Tak International Airport. Imagine aircraft flying right above bamboo scaffoldings and buildings, and almost grazing TV antennas—back then, flights to Hong Kong were quite a thrill for pilots and travellers alike!
While the old airport served the city well, it closed in 1998 to make way for the more modern Hong Kong International Airport that we know today. However, this retired district has been revitalised through urban redevelopment, slowly transforming into a hub for tourism, sports, and green living. Whether you’re looking to revisit the city’s heritage or enjoy a simple family day out, Kai Tak offers a plethora of dining and entertainment options. Here’s our guide on what to see, do, eat, and drink in Kai Tak.
Gone but not forgotten—the legacy of the Kai Tak International Airport lives on in architectural form. Fans of the old airport will be thrilled to witness the aviation-themed elements present at Kai Tak Sky Garden: crescent-shaped walkways reminiscent of air bridges, purple ambient lighting mimicking former runways, and landscaped decks resembling an airplane’s fuselage and wings. We love that this innovative garden is a faithful tribute to a central piece of Hong Kong’s urban history. For even more nostalgia, walk along the legendary 13/31 runway, one of the world’s most challenging runways at the time. Don’t forget to snap a photo of the Jetstream 41 aircraft installed near the promenade, honouring Kai Tak’s aviation heritage!
Urban development has blessed this area with abundant floral displays, plantations, and green space. Spanning 23,000 square metres, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park features water gardens, sheltered walkways, and spacious lawns. If you live nearby in Kowloon Bay or San Po Kong, there’s no better place than here for a delightful picnic. Pack your favourite picnic snacks and enjoy a peaceful afternoon with family and friends—there’s plenty of space available, so you don’t need to arrive early.
While visiting Kai Tak, you’ll enjoy unobstructed panoramic views of the spectacular Hong Kong skyline. With impressive open areas providing fresh air, it’s the perfect venue for a relaxing walk with your furry pals. Pets can roam and play off-leash on the grass, while cafés and malls in the area are incredibly pet-friendly. Additionally, owners will find waste collection bins, pet latrines, and washing facilities with taps in multiple locations, allowing your pets to burn off energy without a fuss!
Adding to the growing number of retail, dining, and cultural destinations in the Kai Tak neighbourhood is Airside. On top of its abundant pet-friendly facilities, the shopping mall features a roster of Hong Kong-based brands. Visitors can browse boutiques selling unique items, such as handmade accessories, home fragrances, apparel, groceries, and even home furniture. Regular workshops, tours, and cultural events are also held, making this the perfect spot to support local merchants and artists.
Nothing beats a leisurely stroll by the seaside under clear blue skies. Located right across from the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, the Kai Tak Promenade offers a peaceful respite for patients, families, and visitors. You’ll find children’s play equipment shaped like planes, lush greenery, and railings and benches that are suitable for a quick work-out session. Why not take your time to enjoy the scenery? You can also visit in the evening to watch the sunset and admire the city lights.
As Hong Kong’s future flagship attraction for mega happenings, Kai Tak Sports Park is planned to be the city’s world-class destination for international competitions, large-scale sports events, and live entertainment. With a main stadium accommodating 50,000 spectators and expansive sports grounds, it’s already a highly sought-after location. While the park is yet to open, expect renowned artists to perform here, including British rock band Coldplay, who will be taking the stage in April 2025. Stay tuned for the latest updates from the Kai Tak Sports Park’s official website here.
The Cippolini Pizzeria is a charming Italian oasis nestled in the bustling Airside shopping mall. Inside, you’ll discover lively hand-painted murals, cosy interiors, and a selection of decadent Italian bites. For a slice of Rome, try classic pizzas like the pepperoni and margherita. However, the contemporary artisanal pizzas are the true crème de la crème of this trattoria. Its Instagram-famous Wagyu sirloin pizza, in particular, offers a satisfying crunch and generous slices of scrumptious beef that melt in your mouth. If you want to sample different pizza flavours in smaller portions, opt for the 50-50 to get half of two pizzas. Be sure to savour the homemade gelato too, which comes in various delectable and quirky flavours.
The Cippolini Pizzeria, Shop G012, G/F, Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak
Hong Kong has a long-standing yet underrated surf scene, and Groundswell draws on this lesser-known piece of local culture to offer a groundbreaking combo of surfing and dining. Inspired by the vibrant beaches found across the world, this bar and restaurant features fun wave-riding activities on one side and tantalising Southeastern cuisine on the other. Both newcomers and seasoned surfers can participate in open flowboarding sessions on the indoor FlowRider surf machine. After your session, settle down and indulge in the expansive menu of refreshing salads, aromatic rice bowls, and comforting noodle bowls. Surfing aficionados can also enrol in a monthly membership programme to enjoy regular sessions!
Groundswell, Shop 601, 6/F, Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak
Origami Kids Café is undoubtedly the most kid-friendly restaurant in the neighbourhood. Located inside the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, this spacious family diner boasts a myriad of entertainment facilities and amenities, including ball pits, wooden houses, slides, and toy cars for kids to enjoy. Its expansive space allows children to play for hours, allowing for quality family bonding time and for meeting new friends. Parents can relax and enjoy homestyle Chinese dishes like sweet and sour pork with pineapple, beef fillet with rice cakes, and yellow croaker noodles.
Origami Kids Café, R/F, North End, Zone B, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, 33 Shing Fung Road, Kowloon Bay
Dining at Root Café feels like being part of an art exhibition. Inspired by the beauty of nature, Root Café’s décor evokes tranquillity with its stately tree trunks and flamboyant artworks surrounded by concrete walls. Its food is equally aesthetic, and while the open toasts, pastas, and risottos are wonderful, the dessert items are the true showstoppers. Look for the Karesansui and Yuzu Tea Garden, two indulgent homemade cakes that pay tribute to Japanese arts and culture, featuring intricate details that look like actual art pieces—while tasting delightful.
Root Café, Shop 4, G/F, Parkside at The Henley, 7 Muk Tai Street, Kai Tak
Luna is a contemporary Chinese restaurant that blends the artistic dedication of Japan with the culinary wonders of Chinese cuisine. Its dimly lit interiors evoke serenity, immersing patrons in a picturesque forest atmosphere. Inside the kitchen, head chef Fu Chan creates exquisite dishes using the finest ingredients for an unparalleled gastronomic experience. Enjoy superb dishes like braised jasmine rice with white truffle oil, matsutake, and sea urchin, or relish in fantastic bites like the Ibérico pork filet with glazed honey and lobster dumplings in peppercorn broth.
Luna, Shop 301, Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak
If you are craving authentic Japanese sweets, you will fall in love with Nana’s Green Tea. A modern Japanese teahouse that prides itself on its original Kyoto matcha blend, Nana’s creates exquisite green-tea desserts using techniques that date back to the Edo period. Anything matcha-related here is a must-try, but make sure to order the signature tea-based roll cakes with the choice of matcha azuki, matcha, and hojicha. Its parfaits are also popular choices, presenting the tempting combination of handmade matcha pudding, hojicha jelly, and ogura an (sweetened red beans).
Nana’s Green Tea, Shop B128, Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak
Nestled on the ground floor of Airside, Uogashi Nihonichi, is a Japanese standing sushi bar that opened its first overseas branch in Hong Kong. Named “Japan’s number-one fish market,” this establishment serves high-quality Edomae sushi at affordable prices, using seasonal offerings fresh from the sea. Settle in at the commanding central bar to enjoy a refined selection of authentic dishes, including a sushi omakase set with 10 perfectly cut sushi pieces and one handroll. If you’re looking for a quick meal, the lunch set offers a variety of donburi options along with a fresh salad, flavourful miso soup, and delicious chawanmushi.
Uogashi Nihonichi, Shop G001, G/F, Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak
Yuk Mi Jeong Dam has gained a loyal following since its establishment in Busan and has now expanded its operations overseas! Specialising in traditional Korean cuisine and barbecue, the restaurant doles out platters of raw meat, seafood, and greens that customers can grill at their own table to their liking. Opt for the indulgent dinner sets, such as the Yuk Mi Jeong Dam signature set, which includes the finest cuts of pork and beef, alongside fresh seafood and a main course of your choice.
Yuk Mi Jeong Dam, Shop L506, 5/F, Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak
Fuelled by tea and oat milk, Stella is on a mission to discover the best cafés and teahouses for weekend lounging. This also entails the side quest for camera angle exploration on foodie pics. Other times, you will find her binge-watching video essays on YouTube, having private concerts in the shower, or experimenting with vocals on her microphone.
Top